April 9th, 2012

He believes the key to overcoming trauma is presence. When you tune in with your surroundings, resonate with what others are feeling and trust the human potential for change, crisis becomes an opportunity for growth.

Alexander teaches yoga to troubled youth, using it as a tool to help people heal from childhood trauma. He sees firsthand the moment healing begins to take hold in his students – when their practice brings deep resonating peace. These moments are his most memorable.

Yoga is also his way of decompressing from the challenges of managing his students' traumas and troubles (and managing his own arthritis). For Alexander, yoga has moved him to be more aware of the potential in living, without suffering and reactivity.

We loved learning about Alexander. And we want to learn more about you, too.

April 2nd, 2012

Yoga is so much more than just a mat practice to Becky; it’s a lifestyle choice that encompasses compassion, wellness, sincerity, and inspiration. It all started when Becky’s mom coerced her into attending a yoga class with her, and now Becky finds that she goes more often than her mom.

Becky is a world-travelling yogi that appreciates nature, solitude, and tranquility. Wherever she goes – from Alaska to Costa Rica to Thailand to Bali to Malaysia and beyond – she has a picture taken of herself in Tree Pose to symbolize her love and dedication to her practice.

Becky is adamant about sharing her passion and knowledge of good, healthy food. She believes that it is so important nowadays to teach kids where their food comes from and how it's being produced, because our food choices not only have a huge impact on our bodies and livelihoods, but also our environment, the animals, and the future of our world.

Meeting Becky was a lightbulb moment: we need to meet you too. This is your community, and this is the YOU year. Manduka is on a mission to get to know everyone who makes this yoga community so vibrant, and so real. Because we all have something to learn from you — about how we see ourselves, or approach our practice, or make yoga mats.

March 30th, 2012

We recently found out that COIL Yoga, a studio in Fresno, CA that proudly sells Manduka gear, is celebrating the 10th anniversary of their studio, as well as the 10th anniversary of their relationship with Manduka!

I met Peter in 2002 through a mutual friend of mine and a former student of his. We traveled to San Luis Obispo, CA to visit one of his earlier yoga studios and took a weekend workshop with him. I remember doing some really INTENSE asanas for my feet, even balancing on my toe knuckles! He had this thick black mat at his studio that he was using and I had some wimpy mat that did nothing to spare my poor toes. Later on that year I visited Peter for a private lesson and remember getting a tour of the Manduka warehouse – AKA his garage. Since then, I have only ever sold Manduka products at COIL Yoga. I feel those mats have been at the foundation of my yoga studio, my yoga practice, and my feet (literally)!

The reason I have only sold Manduka products is not just because of my loyalty to Peter as one of my first REAL yoga teachers, but also because I’ve always been impressed with the products’ quality and durability. I also loved the personal connection I had for so many years with Sarah, one of Peter’s first employees… She really helped build the personal touch for Manduka that made it so easy to keep doing business with them.

What I love about Manduka is that it is such a great example of what we can do in this country. We take dreams and find the means to make them our reality. I was always impressed with Peter’s commitment to growing the company with integrity and a continued passion for the quality of Manduka products. Having a good yoga mat is a great metaphor for life. We need to be able to trust that the foundations we stand on, sit on and relax into will support us through all the falls, slips, slides, and really amazing moments in life! I just started using the new Manduka PRO Black & Light that you just came out with; I loved having the option to “brighten” up my mat. I still use my Manduka PRO 85”, but after 10 years of staring at black, I was excited to add some color to my practice!

We are so grateful to have COIL Yoga as a member of this awesome community, and we loved hearing Katie’s story about seeing the Black Mat PROs in Peter’s garage so long ago.

Join COIL Yoga this Saturday, March 31st, as they celebrate their 10 year anniversary, and enjoy a Free Yoga Day on Sunday, April 1st, from 8am – 5pm!

March 26th, 2012

Yoga was her 'gateway drug' to a healthy mind and body. It started by chance, with a yoga class she happened to find on TV. It was love. She dove right in, and hasn’t looked back since.

Yoga has inspired her to find her own purpose, connecting her Southern Baptist upbringing with her own, personal truth. It has pushed Leigh-Mae through her boundaries and into what the universe has in store for her: helping people. Inspiring them. Setting an example for what is possible. And what is possible is the yoga and massage therapy studio she plans to open in the city of Fayetteville, North Carolina. Her path is clear.

We loved learning about Leigh-Mae. And we want to learn more about you, too.

March 22nd, 2012

To honor World Water Day, Manduka is giving 10% of all Water Bottle and eQua Towel sales through March 31st to Thirst-Aid – an organization that is now directing one of the most successful ceramic water filter interventions in the world.

Thirst-Aid was created by Curt & Cathy Bradner after visiting Myanmar on a summer bicycling trip. After learning of the poor water conditions as well as the prevalent waterborne diseases affecting the community, Curt & Cathy felt compelled to stay in Myanmar. Determined to find a solution they put their knowledge of engineering and microeconomics to work. Over the years, Curt & Cathy have helped build a sustainable system for creating clean, safe water by forming ceramic pots out of red earth and grounded rice husks which help filter out 99% of harmful agents found in the local water supply.

Thirst-Aid also has established the 5 = Alive program, where ceramic water filters and hygiene products are subsidized for women who are pregnant, and for mothers with children that are 5 and under. Studies by the Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage Network have shown that if a child can make it to the age of 5, their immune systems will be mature enough to process untreated water.

Thirst Aid doesn't save lives. They teach people how to save their own, by teaching them how to "wash" their water.